Installation for controlling the closing condition of parts adapted to be mutually locked, especially in motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

An installation for controlling the closing condition of parts adapted to be mutually locked or closed, especially in motor vehicles in which the engaging condition of a closure device is sensed by appropriate means and a feedback signal, which may be either mechanical, optical or acoustic in nature, indicates when the parts are completely closed or locked.

United States Patent I l I Inventors App]. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Priority Gunter Gmeiner;

Christian Grabner, Sindelfingen, Germany 754,914

Aug. 23, 1968 May 25, 1971 Daimber-Benz Aktiengescllschaftstuttgart-Unterturkheim, Germany Aug. 26, 1967 Germany INSTALLATION FORCONTROLLING THE CLOSING CONDITION OF PARTS ADAPTED TO BE MUTUALLYLOCKED, ESPECIALLY IN MOTOR VEHICLES 16 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 292/216 Int. Cl

[50] Field of Search 292/376,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,212,876 l/19l7 Armitage70/432X 2,103,363 12/1937 Hansen 70/441X 2,713,345 7/1955 Stanity et a1.134/58 2,896,641 7/1959 Kauffman et a1. 134/58 Primary ExaminerRichardE. Moore Attorney-Craig, Antonelli, Stewart & Hill ABSTRACT: Aninstallation for controlling the closing condition of parts adapted tobe mutually locked or closed, espe' cially in motor vehicles in whichthe engaging condition of a closure device is sensed by appropriatemeans and a feedback signal, which may be either mechanical, optical oracoustic in nature, indicates when the parts are completely closed orlocked.

PATENTED was an SHEET 1 BF 2 FIG. 2

FIGI

FIG. 3

INVENTORS GUNTER GMEINER CHRISTIAN GRABNER w a, 41 $1M- ATTORNEYSPATENTEI] was usn 3; 580,624

sum 2 0F 2 I INVENTORS GUNTER GMEINER cnmsmn GRABNER BY 3' a ATTORNEYSINSTALLATION FOR CONTROLLING THE CLOSING CONDITION OF PARTS ADAPTED TOBE MUTUALLY LOCKED, ESPECIALLY IN MOTOR VEHICLES The present inventionrelates to an installation for the control of the closing condition ofparts adapted to be mutually locked or closed, especially for motorvehicles, with the aid of which a safe locking or closing is madepossible.

The limit of the closing safety of parts adapted to be mutually lockedor closed resides in the possibility conditioned on the principle thatthe closing elements do not completely engage but merely are supportedor lean one against the other.

This condition also referred to as incomplete engagement can occur when,for example, a door is slammed either too soft or too hard, or if theelastic yieldingness between the closure lug or plate and the lockbecomes too small by warping of the door or by an excessively hardsealing rubber. The presently known locking devices may be locked in theaforementioned condition, however, there exists the danger as a resultof driving shocks and impacts occurring during the drive that, forexample, a door assumed to be securely locked, suddenly springs open.

In order that a door, an engine hood or a luggage-space lid cannotcompletely spring open while driving, the corresponding closure deviceswere equipped with an additional safety latch or locking device.However, also in the position in which the safety or locking device isoperative, an incomplete engagement may occur so that this prior artsafety installation does not completely fulfill its purpose.Therebeyond, in case of breakage of the closing or locking spring, thefunction of the safety latching or locking device is no longer in force,whereby for example, a door may suddenly spring open completely.

Consequently, an installation for the control of the closing conditionof parts adapted to be mutually locked or closed, especially for motorvehicles, is proposed whereby according to the present invention, theengaging condition of a closure of locking mechanism is sensed byappropriate means and a mechanical, optical or acoustic indication oranswer-back signal takes place.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, the locking orclosure element or a part operatively connected therewith includes acontrol cam which is sensed by a springloaded catch, whereby furthermorea sensing means is operatively connected with a locking knob, forexample, by way of a linkage, which on the one hand, abuts against thecatch when pushing down the locking knob if, for example, the door isnot completely or securely closed, and which on the other hand, with acompletely or securely closed door, reaches its opposite position pastthe catch.

According to a further feature and development of the inventive subjectmatter, the sensing means is provided in its longitudinal direction withan elongated aperture and is supported on a pin whereby a compressionspring is arranged between the upper, rounded-off portion of theelongated aperture and the pin so that the sensing means, during theclosing of the prelocked door, gives way or yields elastically to thecatch.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theclosure or locking mechanism or a part operatively connected therewithincludes a control cam which is sensed by a spring-loaded catch which,in its turn, receives a rotatably supported lever pressed against anabutment by means of a draw spring, whereby additionally a sensingmember is operatively connected with a locking knob, for example, by wayof a linkage which, on the one hand, when pushing down the locking knob,abuts against the lever and which, on the other, reaches its oppositeposition past the catch in case of a securely closed door.

A prelocking is possible because in this case, the catch and the leveroperatively connected therewith are pressed downwardly by the controlcam of the closing or locking mechanism whereby the lever hits againstthe sensing member whereas the catch yields and is deflected elasticallyin the downward direction.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a compression spring isarranged between the catch, abutting against the control cam of theclosing or locking mechanism or of a part operatively connectedtherewith, and a locking lever whereby additionally an electric switchwith a fork-shaped sensing member is provided which in case of an openor not completely closed door, is pressed down by the locking lever orthe catch.

Appropriately, during the pressing down of the sensing member, anelectric contact is closed in a conventional manner whereby a controllight disposed within the field of vision of the driver, lights up.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aninstallation for the control of the closing condition of parts adaptedto be mutually closed or locked, especially for motor vehicles whichavoids by simple means the aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks.

Another object of the present invention resides in an installation forthe control of the closing condition of mutually lockable parts whichavoids the danger of sudden opening of the parts during the drive of thevehicle while these parts were thought safely closed.

A further object of the present invention resides in an installation ofthe type described above which greatly increases the safety of vehiclesby eliminating the danger of unnoticed, incomplete closing or locking ofdoors, hoods or lids.

These and further objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more obvious from the following description, whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which shows, forpurposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are schematic views of a first embodiment of a lock withmechanical sensing and locking means in accordance with the presentinvention, illustrating three possible locking positions thereof;

FIGS. 4 to 6 are schematic views of a second embodiment of a lock withmechanical sensing and locking means in accordance with the presentinvention, illustrating three possible locking positions thereof; and

FIGS. 7 to 9 are schematic views of a lock with a mechanical-electricalsensing means and optical indicating means connected therewith inaccordance with the present invention, illustrating three positionsthereof.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are usedthroughout the various views to designate corresponding parts, and moreparticularly to FIG. I, the closure lug or plate 1, as can be seen fromthis Figure, includes a safety notch 2 and a closing'notch 3. The tooth4 of locking member 6 rotatably supported within the locking housing 5engages entirely in the closing notch with a completely closed door. Thespring 7 of the catch 8, also rotatably supported in the lock housing 5,and forming a cam follower with respect to the locking member 6, isunstressed or relieved, whereby the catch 8 so abuts against the controlcam 9 of the locking member 6 that the sensing member 12 actuated from alocking knob 10 by way of a linkage ll, pivots into its lockingposition, indicated in dash line and past the catch 8. During thispivotal movement, the catch 8 and the door-actuating pushbutton (notshown) connected with the catch 8, is locked thereby in a conventionalmanner, and therefore not shown in detail so that an opening of the doorfrom the outside is no longer possible or is possible only with the aidof a key.

A closing position is illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the tooth 4 doesnot completely engage in the locking notch 3. During the attempt to pushdown the locking knob 10, the sensing member 12 abuts against the catch8 because the catch 8 cannot pivot back into its initial, startingposition by reason of the position of the locking member 6. A pushingdown of the locking knob 10 becomes possible only if, after a renewedclosing of the door, the catch 8 has assumed a position corresponding tothat of FIG. I.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, a prelocking is made possible (excludingthereby normally the drivers door) if the locking knob is pushed downwith an open door. During the closing operation, the control cam 9 ofthe closure member 6 displaces the catch 8 downwardly whereby the latterabuts against the top side of the sensing member 12. The sensing member12 is able to yield obliquely downwardly against the pressure of aspring 13 because it is longitudinally displaccable in an elongatedaperture 14 whereby a pin 15 projecting from the lock housing 5 servesas guide means. As soon as the catch 8 abuts against the apex of thecontrol cam 9, the catch 8 and therewith also the sensing member 12 moveagain upwardly.

In FIG. 4, the correct closing position of a lock is illustrated whoseconstruction far-reachingly corresponds to the lock illustrated in FIGS.1 to 3. The closure lug or plate 16 is provided with a safety notch 17and with a closing notch 18. The tooth 19 of the locking member 21rotatably supported in thc lock housing engages completely in theclosing notch 18. The spring 22 of the catch 24 which, together with alever 23 is also rotatably supported at the lock housing 20, is relievedor unstressed whereby the catch 24 so abuts against the control cam 25of thelocking member 21 in the manner of a cam follower that the sensingmember 28 actuated from a locking knob 26 by way of a linkage 27 pivotsinto its locking position indicated in dash line past the lever 23. Thelocking of a dooractuating pushbutton (not shown) takes placesimultaneously by conventional means, not illustrated in detail, so thatan opening of the door from the outside is no longer possible orpossible only with the aid of a key.

A pushing down of the locking knob 26 is not possible if, as illustratedin FIG. 5, the door is not securely closed, i.e., if the tooth 19 doesnot completely engage in the closing notch 18 I because the sensingmember 28 then abuts against the lever It can be seen from FIG. 6 thatwith a prelocked door (excluding the driver's door) the control cam 25of the locking member 21 presses the catch 24 elastically in thedownwardly direction. The lever 23 thereby abuts against the sensingmember 28 and moves against the force of the spring 29 away form theabutment 30. As soon as the catch 24 abuts against the apex of thecontrol cam 25, the catch 24 as well as the lever 23 then again moveupwardly.

The correct closing position of a lock having a mechanicalelectricalsensing means is illustrated in FIG. 7. The closure lug or plate 31 isprovided with a safety notch and with a closing notch 33. As can beseen, the tooth 34 of the closure member 35 engages completely in theclosing notch 33. The contact pin 36 of the switch 37 is not presseddown by the fork-shaped sensing member 39 provided with a return spring38 because neither the catch 41 abuttin against the control cam of theclosure member 35 nor the locking lever 42 which is springily connectedtherewith by compression spring and which abuts against the closure lugor plate 31, contacts the fork-shaped sensing member 39. The controllight 43 does not light up because the energizing-current circuit is notclosed.

A lighting up of the control light 43 occurs when, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the closure member 35 engages with its tooth 44 only in thesafety notch 32. The locking lever 42 thereby does not abut against theclosure lug or plate 31 and is deflected by the spring 45 so far thatthe locking lever 42 seizes the fork-shaped sensing member 39 and pushesthe same downwardly whereby the current-energizing circuit for thecontrol light 43 is closed by the switch 37.

In the closing position illustrated in FIG. 9, the tooth 34 of theclosure member 35 does not engage completely in the closing notch 33.The spring 45 tensioned between the locking lever 42, abutting againstthe closure lug or plate 31, and the catch 41 is compressed because thecontrol cam 40 of the closure member 35 has not moved so far that theabutting part of the catch 41 can pivot into its initial, startingposition. The fork-shaped sensing member 39 pressed down by the catch 41closes the contact of the switch 37 whereupon the control light 43lights up and indicates the incorrect closing of the door.

While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention, it is understood that the same is not limitedthereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications asknown to a person skilled in the art, and we therefore do not wish to belimited to the details shown and described herein but intend to coverall such changes and modifications as are within the scope of a personskilled in the art.

We claim:

1. An installation for the control of the closing-condition of partsadapted to be mutually locked or closed, especially for motor vehicles,wherein the improvement comprises locking means including a relativelyfixed part provided with notch means, control means provided with toothmeans on a movable part for engaging in said notch means upon closing ofthe movable part, catch means for abutting against said control means,sensing means movable into the path of motion of said catch means forsensing the engaging condition of said locking means, and indicatingmeans operatively connected with said sensing means for producing asignal indicating the engaging condition of said locking means.

2. An installation according to claim 1, wherein said indicating meansis mechanical in nature.

3. An installation according to claim 1, wherein said indicating meansis optical in nature.

4. An installation according to claim I, wherein said indicating meansis acoustical in nature.

5. An installation for the control of the closing condition of partsadapted to be mutually locked or closed, especially for motor vehicles,wherein the improvement comprises locking means, sensing means forsensing the engaging condition of said locking means, and indicatingmeans operatively connected with said sensing means for producing asignal indicating the engaging condition of said locking means, whereinsaid locking means includes control cam means, spring-loaded catch meansfor abutting said control cam means, a locking knob operativelyconnected with said sensing means, and said sensing means beingoperable, on the one hand, to abut against the catch means duringpressing-down of the locking knob if the door is not securely closed andon the other, to reach its position past the catch means in case of asecurely closed door.

6. An installation according to claim 5, wherein the sensing meansincludes a sensing member provided with an elongated aperture in itslongitudinal direction and is supported on a pin, spring means disposedbetween the upper rounded-off portion of the elongated aperture and thepin means so that the sensing member elastically deflects out of thepath of the catch means during the closing of a prelocked door.

7. An installation for the control of the closing condition of partsadapted to be mutually locked or closed, especially for motor vehicles,wherein the improvement comprises locking means, sensing means forsensing the engaging condition of said locking means, and indicatingmeans operatively connected with said sensing means for producing asignal indicating the engaging condition of said locking means, whereinthe sensing means includes a sensing member provided with an elongatedaperture in its longitudinal direction and is supported on a pin, springmeans disposed between the upper rounded-off portion of the elongatedaperture and the pin means so that the sensing member elasticallydeflects out of the path of the catch means during the closing of aprelocked door or the like.

3. An installation for the control of the closing condition of partsadapted to be mutually locked or closed, especially for motor vehicles,wherein the improvement comprises locking means, sensing means forsensing the engaging condition of said locking means, and indicatingmeans operatively connected with said sensing means for producing asignal indicating the engaging condition of said locking means, whereinthe locking means including control cam means, spring-loaded catch meansfor abutting the control cam means, rotatably supported lever means onsaid catch means which is pressed against an abutment means by a drawspring, a locking knob operatively connected with said sensing means,said sensing means being operable, on the one hand, to abut against thelever means during pushing down of the locking knob ifa door is notsecurely closed and, on the other, to reach its position past the levermeans with a securely closed door.

9. An installation according to claim 8, wherein with a prelocked door,the catch means and the lever means operatively connected therewith arepressed downwardly by the control cam means, the lever means therebyabutting against the sensing means whereas the catch means is able togive way elastically in the downward direction.

10. An installation for the control of the closing condition of partsadapted to be mutually locked or closed, especially for motor vehicles,wherein the improvement comprises locking means, sensing means forsensing the engaging condition of said locking means, and indicatingmeans operatively connected with said sensing means for producing asignal indicating the engaging condition of said locking means, whereinsaid locking means includes control cam means, catch means for abuttingagainst said cam means, locking lever means, spring means between saidcatch means and said locking lever means, electric switch means having afork-shaped sensing member forming part of the sensing means, saidsensing member being pushed down by one of the two parts consisting ofthe locking lever means and the catch means with an open door and with anot completely closed door.

11. An installation according to claim 10, wherein said switch meansincludes an electric contact closed during pressing down of the sensingmember, and control light means disposed in the field of vision of thedriver, which is energized upon closing of the electric contact.

12. An installation for monitoring the closing conditions of a door orlike movable pan, especially for motor vehicles, wherein the improvementcomprises closure means for closing two parts, sensing means operativelyconnected with said closure means for sensing the engaging condition ofsaid closure means, and means operatively connected with said sensingmeans for indicating the engaging condition of said closure means,wherein said closure means includes a relatively fixed part providedwith notch means, control means provided with tooth means on the movablepart for engaging in said notch means upon closing of the movable part,follower means operatively associated with said control means, saidsensing means being unaffected by said follower means to complete itssensing movement with the movable member properly closed but beingactuated by said follower means with an improperly closed movable partto indicate the improper closing condition.

13. An installation according to claim 12, wherein said control meansincludes cam means for the cam follower means.

14. An installation according to claim 13, wherein said follower meansforms a catch.

15. An installation according to claim 14, further comprising means toenable said sensing means to elastically deflect out of the path of thefollower means during closing of a prelocked door.

16. An installation according to claim 12, further comprising means toenable said sensing means to elastically deflect out of the path of thefollower means during closing of a prelocked door.

1. An installation for the control of the closing condition of partsadapted to be mutually locked or closed, especially for motor vehicles,wherein the improvement comprises locking means including a relativelyfixed part provided with notch means, control means provided with toothmeans on a movable part for engaging in said notch means upon closing ofthe movable part, catch means for abutting against said control means,sensing means movable into the path of motion of said catch means forsensing the engaging condition of said locking means, and indicatingmeans operatively connected with said sensing means for producing asignal indicating the engaging condition of said locking means.
 2. Aninstallation according to claim 1, wherein said indicating means ismechanical in nature.
 3. An installation according to claim 1, whereinsaid indicating means is optical in nature.
 4. An installation accordingto claim 1, wherein said indicating means is acoustical in nature.
 5. Aninstallation for the control of the closing condition of parts adaptedto be mutually locked or closed, especially for motor vehicles, whereinthe improvement comprises locking means, sensing means for sensing theengaging condition of said locking means, and indicating meansoperatively connected with said sensing means for producing a signalindicating the engaging condition of said locking means, wherein saidlocking means includes control cam means, spring-loaded catch means forabutting said control cam means, a locking knob operatively connectedwith said sensing means, and said sensing means being operable, on theone hand, to abut against the catch means during pressing-down of thelocking knob if the door is not securely closed and on the other, toreach its position past the catch means in case of a securely closeddoor.
 6. An installation according to claim 5, wherein the sensing meansincludes a sensing member provided with an elongated aperture in itslongitudinal direction and is supported on a pin, spring means disposedbetween the upper rounded-off portion of the elongated aperture aNd thepin means so that the sensing member elastically deflects out of thepath of the catch means during the closing of a prelocked door.
 7. Aninstallation for the control of the closing condition of parts adaptedto be mutually locked or closed, especially for motor vehicles, whereinthe improvement comprises locking means, sensing means for sensing theengaging condition of said locking means, and indicating meansoperatively connected with said sensing means for producing a signalindicating the engaging condition of said locking means, wherein thesensing means includes a sensing member provided with an elongatedaperture in its longitudinal direction and is supported on a pin, springmeans disposed between the upper rounded-off portion of the elongatedaperture and the pin means so that the sensing member elasticallydeflects out of the path of the catch means during the closing of aprelocked door or the like.
 8. An installation for the control of theclosing condition of parts adapted to be mutually locked or closed,especially for motor vehicles, wherein the improvement comprises lockingmeans, sensing means for sensing the engaging condition of said lockingmeans, and indicating means operatively connected with said sensingmeans for producing a signal indicating the engaging condition of saidlocking means, wherein the locking means including control cam means,spring-loaded catch means for abutting the control cam means, rotatablysupported lever means on said catch means which is pressed against anabutment means by a draw spring, a locking knob operatively connectedwith said sensing means, said sensing means being operable, on the onehand, to abut against the lever means during pushing down of the lockingknob if a door is not securely closed and, on the other, to reach itsposition past the lever means with a securely closed door.
 9. Aninstallation according to claim 8, wherein with a prelocked door, thecatch means and the lever means operatively connected therewith arepressed downwardly by the control cam means, the lever means therebyabutting against the sensing means whereas the catch means is able togive way elastically in the downward direction.
 10. An installation forthe control of the closing condition of parts adapted to be mutuallylocked or closed, especially for motor vehicles, wherein the improvementcomprises locking means, sensing means for sensing the engagingcondition of said locking means, and indicating means operativelyconnected with said sensing means for producing a signal indicating theengaging condition of said locking means, wherein said locking meansincludes control cam means, catch means for abutting against said cammeans, locking lever means, spring means between said catch means andsaid locking lever means, electric switch means having a fork-shapedsensing member forming part of the sensing means, said sensing memberbeing pushed down by one of the two parts consisting of the lockinglever means and the catch means with an open door and with a notcompletely closed door.
 11. An installation according to claim 10,wherein said switch means includes an electric contact closed duringpressing down of the sensing member, and control light means disposed inthe field of vision of the driver, which is energized upon closing ofthe electric contact.
 12. An installation for monitoring the closingconditions of a door or like movable part, especially for motorvehicles, wherein the improvement comprises closure means for closingtwo parts, sensing means operatively connected with said closure meansfor sensing the engaging condition of said closure means, and meansoperatively connected with said sensing means for indicating theengaging condition of said closure means, wherein said closure meansincludes a relatively fixed part provided with notch means, controlmeans provided with tooth means on the movable part for engaging in saidnotch means upon closing of the movable part, follower means operativelyassociaTed with said control means, said sensing means being unaffectedby said follower means to complete its sensing movement with the movablemember properly closed but being actuated by said follower means with animproperly closed movable part to indicate the improper closingcondition.
 13. An installation according to claim 12, wherein saidcontrol means includes cam means for the cam follower means.
 14. Aninstallation according to claim 13, wherein said follower means forms acatch.
 15. An installation according to claim 14, further comprisingmeans to enable said sensing means to elastically deflect out of thepath of the follower means during closing of a prelocked door.
 16. Aninstallation according to claim 12, further comprising means to enablesaid sensing means to elastically deflect out of the path of thefollower means during closing of a prelocked door.